Game.



F. W. STOTLER.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1917. 1,257,045, Patented Feb. 19,1918.-

5 a I i I F i D J J J NIGHTINGALE A i A c I If H! Fla 2.

W/TNESSES INVENTOR Fmnk Stone 1r FFICE.

FRANK W. STOTLER, OF WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1917. 7 Serial No. 160,864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. STOTLER,

- a device which, having been set in motion by the player, will operateto select automatically certain marked counters or in: dicia. It isintended to so construct the moving parts that the selection of countersmay either be controlled entirely by the operator, or else left entirelyto chance by reason of starting the moving parts with an indeterminateforce, allowing the selection to be made by the device itself as itcomes to rest after the imparted force is expended.

More specifically the invention comprises the mounting of a permanentmagnet on a depending arm so that it may be revolved about a center, thearm being carried outward by centrifugal force, and the provision of aplurality of metal counters arranged beneath the magnet in the circularpath of its travel when not deflected by centrifugal force. Thesecounters are of me al or ferrous composition attracted by .a magnet, andso arranged that as the latter comes to rest it will pick up one ofthem.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entiredevice, the parts in relative position as when the rotatable member isactuated; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l, butwith the movable parts in stationary position, and showing a counterbeing selected; Fig. 3 is a view of the marked side of a counter whichmay be used for playing a game with the device.

The construction is as follows: Upon suitable supports C, which arepreferably of rubber, fiber, felt, or soft wood which will not scratch atable top, is mounted a circular plate A, and superimposed on this, is asecond plate B. Both elements A and B are preferably of Wood, thoughthey may be of any suitable material not attracted by a magnet.Rotatably mounted in the center of the-plate, or board, B, is a verticalmember D, having a horizontal extension with its end approximately overthe periphery of the board, said end being flattened to form a,vertically flat face, through the middle part of which is a hole.Another arm member F having its upper end similarly flattened andperforated, is attached to the horizontal member by a pin E, thusforming a hinged joint, permitting the arm F to swing in and out in theplane of the member D, but being rigid as to movement outside thatplane. To the lower end of the depending arm is attached a winged memberG, formed to simulate a bird in flight. Incorporated in or dependingfrom this bird figure is a permanent magnet M, just clearin the boardsurface when the arm F 'is epending vertically. The rotatable member Dis preferably formed with its bearing end beveled to form a pointed seatto lessen friction, and with a portion near the pointed end cut away toform a bearing at the bottom and top only of the retaining bushing H,which asses through the plates A and B, having 1ts upper edge turned outto form a flange which is countersunk level with the surface of theplaying board. Retaining screws hold the bushing in position and rigidlyconnect plates A and B to form the playing board. About its peripherythe plate B as a plurality of radial cuts forming recesses J. Ferroussheet metal counters K are adapted to fit in said recesses. Thesecounters are ordinarily finished blank on one side, with a letter, ornumber, or other indicia on the reverse side, for the purpose of makingup a game, as more fully described below.

The operation of the game is as follows The recesses J are each rovidedwith one or more of the counters the player then spins the member Dabout its axis by placing his finger against the horizontal arm near thevertical part and giving a quick turn thereto. Centrifugal force willcause the arm. F to swing out, as shown in Fig. 1,

while the parts are turning rapidly. The

bird will appear to sail through the air, and as the impulse loses forceand the revolution becomes less rapid, the arm F will settle to verticalposition; the bird apparently returning to alight. As the arm Fapproaches the vertical position, the magnet M comes nearer the metalcounters K, and when the Patented Feb. 19, 1911's.

revolution becomes slow and the magnet returned to vertical position oneof the counters will suddenly be lifted from its recess and held by themagnet. Obviously the rapidity with which the revolution is commencedwill determine just where the swinging arm will return to rest, so thatboth chance and skill are elements in the ultimate selection of acounter. Thus are provided the two features most important in furnishingvariety and interest'in any ame.

While it will be obvious that a large number of different games may beplayed with this device, and a wide variety of rules adoptcd,-thefollowing is given as one simple and specific illustration: The countersare decorated on one side with the picture of a bird, as for example inFig. 3, anightingale. Say ten counters are so marked; ten others withthe picture and name of another bird. as thrush, and so on,'for a numberof difi'erent species of bird.- These are mixed and placed face up, anequal number of counters in each recess J. The first player spins, andthe magnet selects a counter marked Nightingale. The second player spinsand gets a counter mar ked Thrush. Then they play alternately until oneplayer gets four other counters marked like his first, thus makin a bookof five similar counters and winmng the game. If the counters aredisplayed face up, evidently skill of the operator will be called intoplay, to try,to spin the device so as to have the magnet come to restover the desired counter; and since a large number of the counters willbe covered by those above, one being uncovered at each play, the elementof chance-will be very influential. For example, there might be threenightingale counters exposed, and

a different number, or none of the thrush her being adapted to pick up acounter upon coming to rest after rotation.

2. A game comprising a rotatable member and removable counters, adepending arm on the rotatable member adapted to select and pick up acounter from its path upon coming to rest after revolution.

3. A game comprising a rotatable member and removable counters, a,depending arm pivotally attached to the rotatable member whereby the armis swung out of normal position. when the rotatable member is actuated,and a device for holding the counters in position to be engaged by thedepending arm upon return to normal position after revolution.

4. A game comprising a rotatable member and ferrous counters, therotatable member carrying a magnet adapted to select a counter uponcoming to rest after revolution.

5. A game comprising a circular board, a vertical rotatable shaftcentrally mounted in the board, a horizontal arm on said shaft extendingto the edge of the board, a pivotally mounted depending arm carried bythe horizontal arm, a permanent magnet at the lower end of saiddepending arm, recesses in the periphery of the board, and ferrouscounters in said recesses adapted to be sedected by said magnet whenit.is in station-.

a-ry position.

6. A game comprising a movable member and ferrous counters arranged inthe path of travel of the movable member, said movable member containinga magnet adapted to select one of the counters as the movable membercomes to rest after actuation.

7. A game comprising a rotatable member mounted centrally on a circularboard, ferrous counters disposedabout the eriphery of the board, and amagnet depen ing from the rotatable member normally over the peripheryof the board but adapted Whilev the rota-tablemember is actuated to beextended beyond said periphery by centrifugal force and to return tosaid periphery to engage a counter when the rotatable member again 100becomes stationary.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK W. STOTLER. Witness:

GLENN H. Lnnnsorm.

